NPPSF Names 2014 NPHS Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

The North Platte Public School Foundation has announced the winners of the 2014 North Platte High School Distinguished Alumni Award.

A committee composed of Foundation Directors, NPHS Administrators, NPHS Alumni and community members began the selection process in November.

This year’s recipients are:

Eliot Mack (Class of 1990) Outstanding Accomplishments in Engineering and Business

Eliot Mack is, to date, the youngest alumni to receive the award.

Graduating from NPHS in 1990, Mack received his Master of Science Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1996.

Mack has worked at Walt Disney Imagineering and iRobot. In 2004, Mack followed his interests in visual effects and motion tracking and founded Lightcraft Technology, applying robotic techniques to the motion picture industry to create what would become the Previzion virtual studio system.

The Company recently won two prestigious awards, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 2013 Emmy Engineering Award and the Hollywood Post Alliance Engineering Excellence Award.

More information can be found on the company’s website, www.lightcrafttech.com.

Mike Swain (Class of 1972) Outstanding Accomplishments in Service to the North Platte Community and Law Enforcement

Mike Swain graduated with the class of 1972.

Swain received his Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice through Mid-Plains Community College, and later received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice through the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He is also a graduate of the 149th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Swain hired on to the North Platte Police Department as a cadet in 1973 and rose to the ranks of Investigator, Sergeant and Lieutenant before being promoted to Chief of Police in 2010.

Swain is the past president of the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, and a current member of the FBI National Academy Associates.

In 2012, Swain was appointed to the Nebraska Crime Commission by the Governor.

He is a certified driver instructor with both the Nebraska Safety Council and Traffic Safety Plus, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Moose Lodge.

Connie Cook (Class of 1970) Outstanding Accomplishments in Humanitarian Pursuits and Business

Connie Cook graduated with the Class of 1970.

Cook attended the University of Nebraska, and received her Bachelor of Science in Education.

She taught in public schools in various communities in Nebraska from 1974-1988 before moving to Washington.

In 1988, she founded her company, EMR Inc., and remains the Chief Executive Officer and sole owner.

EMR, Inc. is a company that offers a broad range of environmental services throughout the United States and internationally. The company has won several awards over the years, including: Caring Corporation of Kansas, the Better Business Bureau’s Most Ethical Business Award, the Society of Military Engineers Subcontractor of the Year Award and the Burlington Norther Santa Fe’s Minority Supplier of the Year.

More information can be found on the company’s website, www.emr-inc.com.

The Foundation will recognize this year’s award winners at the “Education After Hours” event on April 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte.

Advanced tickets can be reserved by contacting the Foundation at (308) 696-3325.

Tickets are $25 per person, or $20 for NPPS Staff. The event will feature Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a silent and live auction.

The foundation will also be honoring the 2014 Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year and Staff Member of the Year at the event.